Device for the multidimensional presentation of qualitative and quantitative data

ABSTRACT

To cope with the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;explosion&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; of qualitative and quantitative information available today and to present it in a comprehensive and usable form for a plurality of time periods, a multidimensional device is provided comprising an elongated hub means; a support means for rotatably mounting the hub means; and a multiplicity of projections supported by said hub means. The projections are arranged in a plurality of juxtaposed parallel planes along the hub means. The projections in each plane are distinguishable appearance-wise from each other, such as by a color coding, so as to qualitatively distinguish data. The pattern of distinguishable appearance is common to all the planes with like projections in successive parallel planes being in longitudinal alignment, whereby each plane may represent a finite time period. The length of each of the projections is adjustable so as to be quantitatively correlatable with the data. Particular embodiments have additional elements or features which increase the versatility and data handling capacity or render the device automatically adjustable by, for example, computer control.

United States Patent 1 1 3,720,009 1March 13, 1973 Hutar- [54] DEVICEFOR THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL PRESENTATION OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVEDATA [76] Inventor: Laddie F. Hutar, 38.00 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago,Ill. 60613 Filed:

22 Nov. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 201,073

52 Us. 01. "1.35/24 R, 116/136 51 Int. Cl. ..G09b 19/18 [58] Field ofSearch ..3s/1, 21,- 23A, 24 R, 24 A, 35/24 B, 24 c, 18A; 116/136 [:56].7 References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,700,318 1/1929 Karsten..35/24 R 2,316,147 4/1943 Adams ..35/2l 2,477,179 1 1949 Hart ..35/18 A3,191,318 6/1965 'Hoffmann .35/24 A X I 3,417,492 12/1968 Rutland et a]......35/24 R I l/197l Biltz ..3 5/24 R Primary Exaininen-Wm. H. Grieb'AttorneyAlbert H. Pendleton et al.

57 ABSTRACT To cope with the explosion of qualitative and quanacomprehensive and usable form for a plurality of time periods, amultidimensional device is provided comprising an elongated hub means; asupport means for rotatably mounting the hub means; and a multiplicityof projections supported by said hub means. The projections are arrangedin a plurality of juxtaposed parallel planes along the hub means. Theprojections in each plane are distinguishable appearancewise from eachother, such as by a color coding, so as to qualitatively distinguishdata. The pattern of distinguishable appearance is common to all theplanes with like projections in successive parallel planes being inlongitudinal alignment, whereby each plane may represent a finite timeperiod. The length of .eachof the projections is adjustable so as to bequantitatively correlatable with the data. Particular embodiments haveadditional elements or features which increase the versatility and datahandling capacity or render computer control.

22 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDIARIIJISB 3,720,008

SHEET 10F 2 PATENTEDHARIBISB 720,009

SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG-6 x ll] Ill/Y/ COMPUTER OUTPUT DEVICE FOR THEMULTIDIMENSIONAL PRESENTATION ()FQUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DATABACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to a device for visually presenting qualitative andquantitative data and the changes therein extending over a finite timespan. More specifically, it relates to a compact, multidimensionaldevice which is capable of presenting a host of interrelated datacovering successive time periods in a physical or tangible form whichcan be more-quickly and more-fully comprehended and understood.

While the present invention will be described with particular referenceto certain advantageous embodiments employed in the presentation ofbusiness and financial data in visual and tangible form, it should beunderstood that the invention is notlimited thereto. The device of thepresent invention can also be readily adapted to the effectivevisualization of a multiplicity of data in various fields, including,for example, government, military defense, education, the socialsciences including psychology and sociology, medicine, science andengineering, as those skilled in the art will recognize in the light ofthe present disclosure.

2. Description of the Prior Art In days gone by, managerial decisionswere often made without sufficient factual foundation's, sometimes withdisastrous consequences. This sometimes resulted froma dearth of theright kind of data at the right time. In this day of systemized andsophisticated controls, often augmented by computer processing, however,the picture has drastically changed. While managerial deci sions arestill being made without a proper foundation, it is often not so much alack of data but rather the inability to present and comprehend theplethora of data, both qualitative and quantitative, which is now beingspewed forth day-in and day-out by modern hyperspeed computers. The gapbetween the availability-of data and the comprehension and effectiveutilization of that data as a basis for managerial decisions promises toget worse before it becomes better.

Present-day techniques' fo'r coping with theinformation explosion leavemuch to be desired. The presentday manager is visual minded byconditioning and often resists the drudgery of attempting to comprehendand assimilate complex relationships when presented in the. form ofprinted words such as in business reports and the like. To assist him,elaborate bar charts, line charts and other two-dimensional portrayersof information,

whether in printed form, projected on screens, or

presented in the form of easel-mounted charts, have commonly beenresorted to. As those skilled in the arts of comprehension will testify,however, such visual aids are effectively limited to the presentation ofonly three to four items of information at one time. Thus, it isdifficult to present an overall picture of complex data covering'manyfacets of information, both qualitatively and quantitatively,particularly as they may change physical indicator systems. Illustrativeof certain of these prior artefforts are the disclosures of US. Pat.Nos. 1,525,796, 1,700,318, 1,780,036, 2,316,147,

2,474,074, 2,925,669, 3,145,482, 3,307,170, and

British Pat. No. 602,877.

. Such prior art techniques, however, still left much to be desired.While helpful, the prior art effort suffered from one or moreshortcomings such as, for example, restrictions on how many kinds ofdata could be effectively presented, limitations on the amounts of eachtype of data, the failure to effectively exhibit the data visuallysothat it can'be quicklyc'omprehended, the inability to portray complexinterrelationships of different kinds of data, the undue complexityand'high cost of certain devices and techniques, the lack of versatilityof the data devices, and the like.

It is to the solution of this overall problem of data proliferation,data presentation, and data comprehension that the present invention isdirected, as more fully reflected in the following objects. As usedherein, the term data is to be construed broadly and is not necessarilylimited to numerical information, unless so indicated. Thus, it canrepresent any type of information which is meaningful to the observer ofthe device herein described.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a general object of the presentinvention to provide a device which effectively increases the controlcapability and span of control of man by presenting a multiplicity ofdata in a more-compreh en sible form. It is another general object toprovide a device whichh elps man cope with the explosion of qualitativeand quantitative data which have become available for decision-makingpurposes. It is another general object to provide a communication devicewhich helps toclose the gap between availability of data and thecomprehension and effective use of such data.

It is another general object to provide a device for the simplified andstreamlined presentation of a multiplicity of interrelated qualitativeand quantitative data. It is another "general object to store data in atangible fmemory bank which may be continuously and 'visually observed.It is another general object to provide a, device for the storage ofdata which may be used in all facets of society, including, for example,government, military defense, education, the. social sciences includingpsychology and sociology, medicine, science, engineering business andfinance. It is a more specific object to provide a versatile,multidimensional device for the visual presentation of a multiplicity ofdata, whichdevice may be physically compact anddesk-size and yet lendsitself to either simplicity or great sophistication, as desired. It isanother specific object to provide a data exhibiter which providesone-glance comprehension of complex data and the ability to readilypinpoint critical aspects thereof. It is another specific object toprovide a multidimensional device for the presentation of compositedata, wherein particular types of data can be isolated for specificstudy.

It is another specific object to provide a device for presentinGqualitative and quantitatiVe data over a period of time, which lendsitself to adjustment and upproceeds.

dating by computer control. It is another specific object to provide anaccumulator for comPlex data which, in itssimplest embodiments, is lowin cost and capable of adjustment and comprehension by the non-technicalobserver. It is still another specific object to provide a device forpresenting data in tangible physical form,

which device maybe readily converted to the solution of various dataexhibition tasks.

These and other objects of the presentinvention ,will become apparent asthe detailed description thereof SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These objectsare achieved, in brief, by a threedimensional device comprising incombination an elongated hub means, a support means for rotatablymountingthe hub means with the axis vertical, horizontal or at anintermediate angle, usually horizontal, and a multiplicity ofprojections supported by the hub means.

The projections are arranged in spoke-like fashiOn iri a planes havingthe same distinguishable appearance are preferably arranged inlongitudinal alignment. It isthis distinctive appearance within eachplane which permits data to be qualitatively distinguished..lt.is theplurality of planes which permits time spans to be presented,

' each planerepresenting a given period, e.g.,amonth,

quarter-year, half-year, year, or whatever finite time span is desired.I

To quantify the data, the length of each of the projections in eachplane is adjustable whereby the length is correlatable with the data. Inits simplest form, the.

projections are made adjustable by manufacturing them from a flangeableor otherwise severable material, e.g., soft metals, wood, plastic or thelike. Thus, the

lengthsis then tailored by cutting or otherwise shorten-' ing theprojections to correspond with the quantity being represented.

In a more sophisticated embodiment, the projections are radiallyextensible, which is readilyaccomplished -by making them of telescopingelongated members. As

those skilled in the art will recognize, the rod-like'telescoping'members may be adjusted by an electrical signal such as maybe derived from a computer output. The magnitude, phase, frequency,polarity or other characteristic of the electrical signal, such asnumber of pulses thereof, can be correlatable with the data so as .toadjust the telescoping member. The electrical means for so adjusting thetelescoping members is per se not part of the present invention but isconsidered well within the skill of the art without further elaboration.

In all embodiments, the projections may bear indicia thereon whereby thelength may indicate directly, or be convertible to, quantifiable data.The indexing may be by any convenient means such as, for example, in thecase of a plastic projection, index marking and/or numerical valuesmolded directly on the projections at appropriate intervals.

In certain particular embodiments, still other dimensions of informationmay be incorporated into the device, in addition to qualitative andquantitative data and finite time periods. For example, the elongatedhub means-may have a bent or otherwise deviated axis to indicate somemeaningful information; or the thickness or the diameter of the hub mayincrease or decrease, progressively or otherwise, along its length. Alsothe hub means may be independently color coded or bear some visuallydistinguishable markings separate and apart from the coding of theprojections themselves.

In still other embodiments, an additional dimensionv of informationmaybe conveyed by expanded outer extremities on the projections. Forexample, when the projections Are'cylindrical ro ds,-the extremities maybear enlarged spherical members or cubes having a separate color codingof their own. The outerextremities may also be electrically'illuminable,the illumination itself being color coded.

In still other embodiments, the hub means may comprise a plurality ofcontinual radial troughs extending the length of the axis, and theprojections may be removably supported in the troughs by, for example,wedge-shaped segments. They may be secured in the troughs frictionally,magnetically or the like. Where particular data is to be scrutinizedmore carefully, a line of the wedge-shaped segments may be removed forcloser examination.

' Still another dimension of data may be incorporated by varying thecross sections of the projections. Thus, for example, in one instancethe projections may comprise l4 inch rods, whereas in another instancethe 'projectionsmay comprise b inch rods,,the difference In diameterbeing significant information-wise. Similarly, theprojections may haveround, square, rectangular, curvilinear cross sections, or combinationsthereof, each representing distinguishable information. In addition,individual projections may vary in cross section along the lengththereof, e.g., a tapering cross section. 1

While the time periods are distinguished in the embodimentS describedherein by different planes, obvious equivalents will be apparent fromthe disclosure. Thus, for example, each plane could represent adifferent kInd of qualitative information and the time dimension" couldbe represented by the peripheral positions of projections in a givenplane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be moreclearly understood fRorn the following detailed description of specificembodiments read in conjunction with accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective vieW of a simplified version of thedevice of the present invention illustrating several embodiments ofprojections;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view on an expanded scale of another embodimentof the projections which may be employed in the'device;

trically illuminable;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section view of a projection which iStelescopically extendible;

FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic illustrating how the length of theprojections may be adjusted responsive to a computer output;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a hub means withdeviated axis;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a hub means comprisingradial traysor troughs with wedgeshaped segments for supporting theprojections; and

- spoke-like member 29 having narrowed sections 30 dis- FIG. 10 is afragmentary perspective view illustrating how the wedge-shaped segmentsof FIG. 9 may be removed for closer examination of the data representedby the projections. v I

It should be understood that the drawings'are not I necessarily to scaleand that the embodiments are illus- DETAILEDDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS,INCLUDING PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I Referring to FIG. 1, the devicecomprises hollow or solid elongated hub means 10 which is rotatablymounted by means of swivel collar "on a support means comprisingconvergent legs 12 and 14 which support the device by means of pads 16on surface 18 The support means may also comprise a simple cradle onwhich the elongated hub means rests, or equivalent thereof.

Projections 20 are arranged in the apertures of the hub means inspoke-like fashion in a plurality of juxtaposed parallel planes. Theymay be held in place in the apertures of the hub means 10 by a frictionfit. The projections are preferably evenly spaced peripherally and theplanes are evenly spaced axially along the hub means. The number ofprojections 20 in each plane is preferably the same, e.g., at leastthree; and the projectiOns in each plane are distinguishableappearancewise from each other, preferably by color coding, to bequalitatively distinct.

Projections 20 may also be distinguishable from one another by having avariety of configurations. This is illustrated, for example, byalternate embodiment 22 having enlarged outer extremity 24, andprojection 26 having a square cross section.

The length of the projections may be adjusted to correspond toquantitative data by a variety of means. In the simplest form, thedevice of the present invention is provided with a supply of spoke-likemembers in a variety of colors and in a variety of graduated sizes.

Thus, the proper size in the desired color may be selected correspondingto the quantity to be indicated.

' In anotherembodiment, the device is supplied with spoke-like membershaving a variety of desired colors but of equal length. The spoke-likemembers are formed of a readily severable material, e.g., plastic or thelike. They are then simply cut to proper size as suggested in FIG. 1 byscissors 28, before or after being inserted in the apertures of hubmeans 10.

The spoke-like members may also be indexed with periodic indentationswhich provide areas or points of weakness for ready fracture. This isillustrated 'by tributed along the length thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the projections may also comprise cylindrical.stub 32, which may be inserted into an aperture in the hub means, andbar-like structure 34, which has a series of horizontal index marks 36longitudinally disposed .thereon. Instead of cylindrical stub 32, theextremity of bar-like structure 34 may be fitted into a correspondingrectangular slot in the hub means and held there frictionally,magnetically, or the like. When these bar-like structures are rotated tothe upward vertical position, it presents, in effect, a bar chart ofthat particular row of data.

Still another embodiment of the projections is illustrated in FIG. 3.Projections 38 have aseries of index markings 4G thereon. A color codedc ube=42 may be frictionally attached to the extremity of projection 38so as to convey another dimension of information.

Instead of the continuous cylindrical structure shown in FIG. 1, the hubmeans may comprise a series of annular discs, such as illustrated inFIG. 4. ln this embodiment the hub means comprises inner shaft 44 whichhas an upraised key 46 thereon, on which there are assembled individualhubs 48 and 50. The hubs may be adjacent each other or spaced from oneanother, as illustrated in FIG. 4, by spacer cylinder 52 -which fitsaround shaft 44. Key 46 and the corresponding indentation or slot in thehubs preventrelative rotation of the hubs whereby like colors in eachplane may be held in alignment despite rotation of shaft 44.

Instead of spherical or rectilinear expansion of the extremities of theprojections, it is also contemplated that the extremities may beelectrically illuminated. A simplified version of this embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 5. In this embodiment dry cell battery 60 is housedin the hollow extremity of metallic projection 62 so as to illuminatelightbulb 64. The circuit is completed by means of metallic spring 66and reciprocating switch 68, as in a conventional miniaturizedflashlight.

Color coding is imparted to lightbulb 64 by means of transparent cap 70,preferably comprising a flexible plastic, which is colored to correspondto the desired coding. Cap 70,can be snappedv onto or removed fromthelightbulb whereby the color coding can be changed as desired.

The projections may also comprise a series of extendible rods, asillustrated in FIG. 6. In this figure the individual sections 72, 74, 76and 78 telescope into each other in the same manner as a radio or TVantenna. Head 80 may be color coded as desired. The individual sectionsare adjusted manually and retain their position frictionally.

or other information-producing or storage deVice, e.g.,.

magnetic-tape information devices, or combinations thereof. Thus, signal82, e.g., an electrical signal, pneumatic signal, hydraulic signal, orthe like, from computer 84 is transmitted to a controls'ystemrepresented by box 86 located in the center of hub means 88, wherebytelescoping projection 90 or equivalent is raised or lowered dependingupon the computer output. Again the extended area 92 at 'the extremityof projection90 may be color coded, illuminated or otherwise designed toprovide another dimension of information.

The control system of .box 86 may employ conventional means foradjustingprojection 90,-which need not be telescoping, such as are presentlyemployed for raising and lowering elongated members,'e.g., antennas InFIG. 8 the hub means 94 has a bent or deviated axis torepresent anotherdimension of information. Thus, for example, projections 96 mayrepresent historical, financial or business information prior to aparticular merger, and projections .98 may represent results after amerger. I

In FIG. 9, the hub means comprises a series of Iongitudinally-extendingtrays or troughs 100 arranged around the periphery of-center core 102.Removable wedge-shaped segments 104 may be secured into the troughs by,for example, a snap fitting or frictionally or magnetically. In themagnetic embodiment, core 102 or the walls making up the trough-likereceptacles 100 may be magnetized and the-individual'segments maycontain iron or other material which is magnetically attracted.

Referring to FIG. 10, the individual segments 104 -may be removed fromthe device of FIG. 9 and arranged in holder 106 whereby projections 108may be more carefully scrutinized. Since holder 106 is not rotated to adownwardly facing vertical position, segments 104 need not be securedtherein except gravitationally.

From the above description'it is apparent that many dimensions" ofinformation may be conveyed by the device of the present invention. Eachprojection provides qualitative information distinguished from oneanother by a color coding. The length of the projection providesquantitative information and a time factor is injected by using adifferent plane for different time periods. Still other dimensions ofinformation are provided by deviating the axis of the elongated hubmeans, by changing the shape of the projections, by adding expandedareas at the extremities of the projections, and by illuminating theends thereof, including color coding as appropriate. Still anotherdimension of information results from the overall appearance of thedevice, particularly as compared to a model device.

From the above description it is apparent that the objects of thepresent invention have been achieved. While only certain embodimentshave been set forth, alternate embodiments and various modificationswill be apparent from the above description to those skilled in the art.For example, while the number of projections in axial or radial planesis depicted as being equal, manifestly the number of projections incertain axial or radial planes may be greater or less than, the others.Thus, for example, data for past years may be presented on an annualbasis, and data for the current year may be presented on a quarterlybasis. These and other alternatives are considered equivalents andwithin the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is:

1 A device for multidimensional presentation of qualitatively andquantitatively-discrete datacomprising in combination: 1

a. elongated hub means;

b. support means for rotatably mounting said hub means; I c. amultiplicity of projections supported by said hub means; Y I 1-. saidprojections being arranged substantially in a plurality of juxtaposedparallel planes along said hub means,

at least three of said projections being peripherally-spaced around saidhub means in each plane,

. the projections in each plane being distinguishable appearance-wisefrom each otherto qualitatively distinguish data, the pattern ofdistinguishable appearance being common to all planes, like projectionsin succeSsive parallel planes being inlongitudinal alignment, and

.the length'of each ofsaid projections being adjustable so as to bequantitatively correlatable with the data.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said elongated hub means comprises anelongated shaft having a plurality of individual hubs mounted thereon,each hub supporting the projections in at least one plane.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the axis of said elongated shaft isstraight.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein elongated shaft is curved.

5. The device of.claim 1 wherein said projections are in the form ofrod-like members equally spaced around said hub means.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said projections are radiallyextendible.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said projections comprises atelescoping elongated member.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said projections islongitudinally indexed whereby quantitative values are indicatedthereby. 4

the axis of said 9. The device of claim 1 wherein said projections ineach plane are color coded, the color coding being common to allplanes.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said projections have expanded outerextremities. I

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said extremities bear a color coding.

12. The device of claim wherein said projections areelectricallylluminable adjacent an outer extremity thereof.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the illumination is color coded.

14. The device of claim 1' wherein said projections are adjusted inlength by an electrical input.

15. The device of claim' 14 wherein said electrical input is responsiveto the output of a computer.

l6fThe device of claim 1 wherein said hub means comprises a plurality ofradial troughs extending the length thereof and said projections areremovably supported in said troughs by wedge-shaped segments. 17. Thedevice of claim 16 wherein said wedges haped segments are removablysupported in said troughs magnetically.

18. The device of claim 1 wherein saidprojections have varying crosssections, the cross sections being correlatable with other aspects ofthe data.

19. A device for multidimensional presentation of qualitative andquantitative informationfor a plurality of time periods comprising incombination:

a. elongated hub means;

means; c. a multiplicity of elongated projections supported .by said hubmeans,

I I b. support means for rotatably mounting said hub 1.- saidprojections being arranged substantially in Y a plurality of successiveparallel planes along said hub means,

. at least three of said projections being supported in each plane, thenumber of said projections in each plane being substantially equal 3.the projections in each plane being color coded,

the color coding being common to all, planes,

and

4. said projections comprising rod-like members of I adjustable length,whereby the color coding, the adjustable length and the disposition ofthe projections are correlatable with distinct aspects of theinformation. 20. The device of claim 19 wherein the length of saidrod-like members is adjustable responsive to the output of a computer.

21. The device of claim 19 wherein the color coding is correlatable withqualitative information, the length of the rod-like members iscorrelatable with quantita- I UNITED STATES PA EN OFFICE 7 CERTIFICATEOF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,720,009 Dated March 13, 1-973 Invent fls)Laddie F. Hutar It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 5," change "British" to Canadian-f.

Colunm 2, line 66, change "presentinG" to pre'senting-.

change "quantitative" to quantitative- Column 3 line 2, change"accumulatOr" to accumulator".

change "comPlex" to -'complex. Column 3, line 21, change "fashion" to---fashion.

Column 3, line"?5, change "usuallY" to '-usually-.

0 change "necessarilY" to nefcessarily.

Column 4, line 21, change "Are" to ---are--. Column 4, line' 4 l, change"In" to in-. Column line 50', change "bodiment S" to -fbodiments-. VColumn 4, line 59 change "fRom" to -r'rom-. Column 4 line change "vieW"to view-. I Column 5, line J9, change "pOrtion" to portion-.

I Q change "A" to -a. I

Column 5, line. change "iS" to -is-.

I FORM'PO-105OHO-69) v USCOMWDC 603764,

I UT. GOVIIIHINY PR NTING O'IICI Ill, O-Jl-J) s UNITED STATES PA'IHENTOFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,720,009 Dated March 13,1973- Invento'r(s) Laddie F. Hutar It is certified that error appears inthe above-identified patent and that said vLetters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 5, line .55, change "tiOns" to tions;

Column 7, line change "sectionS" to -'-sections'-. Column-7, line 3-,change "device" to device--'.

Column 7, line 26', change "sPool" to -spool. 7

Column 8 line 2 6 change "means; to -means',

Column 8, 'l'ine 37', change "successive" to -successive--.

Column 9, line 2 change "electricallylluminable to Ielectricallyilluminable-i Signed sealed this 5th day of March 19714..

(SEAL) Attest: v v EDWARD M.FLETCHER",JR. c MA DANN- i i Commissioner ofPatents FORM (149) uscoMM-oc scan-pee IL. GO VIINIIIT PRINTING O'Ilcl:I." o-lil'lll

1. said projections being arranged substantially in a plurality ofsuccessive parallel planes along said hub means,
 1. said projectionsbeing arranged substantially in a plurality of juxtaposed parallelplanes along said hub means,
 1. A device for multidimensionalpresentation of qualitatively and quantitatively-discrete datacomprising in combination: a. elongated hub means; b. support means forrotatably mounting said hub means; c. a multiplicity of projectionssupported by said hub means;
 1. A device for multidimensionalpresentation of qualitatively and quantitatively-discrete datacomprising in combination: a. elongated hub means; b. support means forrotatably mounting said hub means; c. a multiplicity of projectionssupported by said hub means;
 1. said projections being arrangedsubstantially in a plurality of juxtaposed parallel planes along saidhub means,
 2. at least three of said projections beingperipherally-spaced around said hub means in each plane,
 3. theprojections in each plane being distinguishable appearance-wise fromeach other to qualitatively distinguish data, the pattern ofdistinguishable appearance being common to all planes, like projectionsin succeSsive parallel planes being in longitudinal alignment, and 4.the length of each of said projections being adjustable so as to bequantitatively correlatable with the data.
 2. at least three of saidprojections being peripherally-spaced around said hub means in eachplane,
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said elongated hub meanscomprises an elongated shaft having a plurality of individual hubsmounted thereon, each hub supporting the projections in at least oneplane.
 2. at least three of said projections being supported in eachplane, the number of said projections in each plane being substantiallyequal,
 3. the projections in each plane being color coded, the colorcoding being common to all planes, and
 3. The device of claim 2 whereinthe axis of said elongated shaft is straight.
 3. the projections in eachplane being distinguishable appearance-wise from each other toqualitatively distinguish data, the pattern of distinguishableappearance being common to all planes, like projections in succeSsiveparallel planes being in longitudinal alignment, and
 4. the length ofeach of said projections being adjustable so as to be quantitativelycorrelatable with the data.
 4. The device of claim 2 wherein the axis ofsaid elongated shaft is curved.
 4. said projections comprising rod-likemembers of adjustable length, whereby the color coding, the adjustablelength and the disposition of the projections are correlatable withdistinct aspects of the information.
 5. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid projections are in the form of rod-like members equally spacedaround said hub means.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein said projectionsare radially extendible.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein each of saidprojections comprises a telescoping elongated member.
 8. The device ofclaim 1 wherein each of said projections is longitudinally indexedwhereby quantitative values are indicated thereby.
 9. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said projections in each plane are color coded, thecolor coding being common to all planes.
 10. The device of claim 1wherein said projections have expanded outer extremities.
 11. The deviceof claim 10 wherein said extremities bear a color coding.
 12. The deviceof claim 1 wherein said projections are electrically-illuminableadjacent an outer extremity thereof.
 13. The device of claim 12 whereinthe illumination is color coded.
 14. The device of claim 1 wherein saidprojections are adjusted in length by an electrical input.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14 wherein said electrical input is responsive to theoutput of a computer.
 16. The device of claim 1 wherein said hub meanscomprises a plurality of radial troughs extending the length thereof andsaid projections are removably supported in said troughs by wedge-shapedsegments.
 17. The device of claim 16 wherein said wedge-shaped segmentsare removably supported in said troughs magnetically.
 18. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said projections have varying cross sections, the crosssections being correlatable with other aspects of the data.
 19. A devicefor multidimensional presentation of qualitative and quantitativeinformation for a plurality of time periods comprising in combination:a. elongated hub means; b. support means for rotatably mounting said hubmeans; c. a multiplicity of elongated projections supported by said hubmeans,
 20. The device of claim 19 wherein the length of said rod-likemembers is adjustable responsive to the output of a computer.
 21. Thedevice of claim 19 wherein the color coding is correlatable withqualitative information, the length of the rod-like members iscorrelatable with quantitative information and each of said parallelplanes represents a different time period.